10.27.2023

Frantic Search in Maine

Maine officials began a sweeping search for a mass shooting suspect who opened fire on unsuspecting crowds at multiple locations in Lewiston, Maine, late Wednesday night. As of late last night, the suspect had not been apprehended, leaving thousands of residents sheltering in place. 

Officials revised the number of victims to at least 18 dead and 13 injured as of yesterday evening. The number is down from initial reports Wednesday night of 22 dead and as many as 60 injured. For comparison, the entire state of Maine reported 29 murders in 2022, 15 of which were domestic homicides.

The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Robert Card, an Army reservist who lived in a nearby town. Family members said Card had suffered experienced severe mental health issues, saying they had previously contacted US Army officials about their concerns. He also reportedly underwent two weeks of psychiatric inpatient treatment this summer. 

See what is known about the victims so far here.

World Series Begins

The last two teams standing in Major League Baseball meet tonight, with the Texas Rangers hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game of the World Series (8 pm ET, FOX). It marks a fresh face-off for the title round—the franchises have combined for just three World Series appearances across 86 seasons of play before this year. 

Each enters with their own Cinderella story. The Rangers, viewed by Vegas as heavy favorites, are the oldest MLB team to have never won a championship (founded in 1961) and own the second-longest title drought behind the Cleveland Guardians. The Diamondbacks nearly missed the postseason entirely, entering as the final wild card team after an 84-78 regular season. 

Texas is led by slugger Adolis García, who has knocked three home runs and drove in nine runs in his last six at-bats. Arizona is led by infielder Ketel Marte, who is riding a 16-game hitting streak. See a breakdown of the matchup here.

GDP Surges on Spending

The US gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 4.9% in the third quarter of the year, surpassing analysts' expectations of 4.7%, according to preliminary data released yesterday. The figure represents the fifth straight month of growth and is the largest gain in nearly two years.

Strong consumer spending—which accounts for two-thirds of GDP—played a pivotal role, rising 4% for the quarter and contributing 2.7 percentage points to the total increase. Despite inflation and rising interest rates, consumers continued to spend on items like cars, restaurants, and concert tickets, while exports, private inventory investment, and federal government spending also increased.

However, analysts predict a slowdown, with fourth quarter growth projected at 1.5%. Challenges impacting the GDP include the resumption of student loan repayments, a potential government shutdown, and increased long-term interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s benchmark short-term rate reached 5.4%, the highest in 22 years, and it is likely to remain unchanged at the meeting next week.

The total US GDP is $27.6T. See historical data here.

Science & Technology

Business & Markets

Politics & World Affairs

In-Depth

> Whither the Werewolf

The Constant | Mark Chrisler. (Podcast) Exploring the history of lycanthropes who've been said to stalk European countries for centuries. (Listen) 

> Favorite Phobias

Kite & Key | Staff. (Video) Snakes, spiders, killer clowns, and ... public speaking? Americans' most widespread fears range from situational to visceral. (Watch)

> Examination of a Witch 

Smithsonian | Jess Blumberg. A brief history of the Salem witch trials, from the run-up to the aftermath. (Read)

> 'Did you do this?'

Truly*Horrror | Nick Ripatrazone. Inside the story of Brazil's most well-documented poltergeist investigation. (Read)

Runaway tortoise reunited with its owner after three years. 

See photos from New York City's Halloween dog parade.

The largest swing set in North America opens in Philadelphia.

Smithsonian asks public to submit stories about women for new exhibition.

Exploring the full list of Spotify's genre database.

How to grow the world's largest pumpkin. 

Spooky alternatives to the word "ghost" across the US.

Sweden makes it clear that it is not, in fact, Switzerland.

Clickbait: Beer-belly wrestling to headline first Florida Man games. 

Historybook: Ivan the Great dies (1505); Philadelphia is founded (1682); President Teddy Roosevelt born (1858); New York City subway opens (1904); American poet and novelist Sylvia Plath born (1932).